SDN/NFV Technology Trends and Academic Research in Canada

Speaker DL: Prof. Bhaskar D. Rao, University of California, San Diego, USA
DATE: Thursday November 26, 2015.
TIME: Refreshments, Registration and Networking: 06:00 p.m.; Seminar: 06:30 p.m. – 07:30 p.m.
PLACE: Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Ave., School of Advanced Technology, T-Building, Ciena Optophotonics Lab, Room T129.
PARKING: No fee after 5:00 p.m. at the Visitors’ Parking Lots 8 & 9. Please respect restricted areas.
ADMISSION: Free. Registration required. To ensure a seat, please register by e-mail contacting: almuhtadi@ieee.org.
MORE INFO: Ottawa ComSoc/CESoc/BTS Chapter website.

Abstract
Traditional network designs are failing service providers as recurring and new revenue streams fail to keep pace with escalating operational costs. In today’s marketplace, dependence on purpose-built hardware and use of manual systems interfaces lead to complex hardware stacks, over-provisioning, and lengthy service cycles. We will examine market trends that are leading to the adoption of SDN and NFV technologies in both the service provider and large enterprise markets. We will also review some of the academic research initiatives in Canada that are investigating use cases attempting to leverage the full potential of these new technologies.

Bio
Chris Bachalo is currently the Chief Technical Officer for Juniper Networks Canada. Mr Bachalo has accumulated 25 years of experience in the Canadian telecom industry. He joined Juniper in 2010 from Alcatel-Lucent (and former Newbridge Networks) where he was VP of Systems Engineering for 17 years. Chris is focused on building telecommunications solutions for Canadian service providers and large enterprise. He is also heavily engaged in Canadian academic research and has participated in multiple technology advisory boards including: University of Toronto Masters of Engineering in Telecommunications Advisory Board, NodeLogic Networks Technical Advisory Board and currently serves on Algonquin College Photonics and Laser Technology Advisory Board, BRIC/University of Regina (Bridging Research and Interoperability Center) Industry Advisory Board, SAVI/University of Toronto/York University (Smart Applications on Virtual Infrastructure) Industry Advisory Board, CENGN (Center of Excellence for Next Generation Networking) Industry Advisory Board, Invest Ottawa ICT Industry Sector Advisor, BCNet Industry Advisor, Nuvollo Networks industry advisor and is cofounder/technology advisor/co-author of primary patent for Enermotion Inc, a Canadian cleantech company. Chris has a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Windsor and studied at the University of Toronto toward an MEng in Electrical Engineering.

Terrestrial broadcast vs. LTE-eMBMS: Competition and cooperation

Speaker DL: Marco Breiling, IEEE BTS distinguished lecturer, Chief scientist of the broadband & broadcast
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS), Erlangen, Germany
DATE: Wednesday November 18, 2015.
TIME: Refreshments, Registration and Networking: 06:00 p.m.; Seminar: 06:30 p.m. – 08:00 p.m.
PLACE: Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Ave., School of Advanced Technology, T-Building, Ciena Optophotonics Lab, Room T129.
PARKING: No fee after 5:00 p.m. at the Visitors’ Parking Lots 8 & 9. Please respect restricted areas.
ADMISSION: Free. Registration required. To ensure a seat, please register by e-mail contacting: almuhtadi@ieee.org.
MORE INFO: Ottawa ComSoc/CESoc/BTS Chapter website.

Abstract
While the broadcast world is reinforcing its armoury by introducing new and highly advanced standards like DVB-T2/-NGH and ATSC 3.0, the pressure by the mobile communications business is ever increasing. As users consume more unicast content or switch over to satellite TV or IPTV, the user base for terrestrial TV is shrinking, whereas the data rates requested by the users in mobile communications networks explode. Moreover, the mobile communications armoury now includes LTE-eMBMS as a broadcast mode, which can handle cases, where many users want to consume the same content. Consequently, the mobile network operators ask for a reallocation of the UHF broadcast bands to standards such as LTE (digital dividend II and more). If we assume that there is a future for broadcast over terrestrial transmission, this talk will shed some light about the question what technical (not commercial!) advantages conventional terrestrial broadcast standards like DVB have over eMBMS and vice versa. This leads to the question, whether the best aspects of both can be combined by having both networks cooperate. A final aspect discussed is the idea of distributing eMBMS content by satellite using, e.g., DVB-S2……..
To view the DL talk, click here.

Bio
After conducting studies at the Universität Karlsruhe/Germany (now Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – KIT), the Norges Tekniske Høgskole (NTH) in Trondheim/Norway, the Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Electronique et Electrotechnique (ESIEE) in Paris and the University of Southampton/England, Marco Breiling graduated with a Dipl.-Ing. degree from KIT in 1997. He earned his PhD degree (with highest honor) for a thesis about turbo codes from Universität Erlangen/Germany in 2002.Since 2001, he has been working at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) in Erlangen in the field of satellite and terrestrial communications. He currently holds the position of the broadband & broadcast department’s chief scientist.

Agility for an App-centric Network – Integrated Management of Software Defined Infrastructure

Speaker DL: Prof. Bhaskar D. Rao, University of California, San Diego, USA
DATE: Thursday November 12, 2015.
TIME: Refreshments, Registration and Networking: 06:00 p.m.; Seminar: 06:30 p.m. – 07:30 p.m.
PLACE: Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Ave., School of Advanced Technology, T-Building, Ciena Optophotonics Lab, Room T129.
PARKING: No fee after 5:00 p.m. at the Visitors’ Parking Lots 8 & 9. Please respect restricted areas.
ADMISSION: Free. Registration required. To ensure a seat, please register by e-mail contacting: almuhtadi@ieee.org.
MORE INFO: Ottawa ComSoc/CESoc/BTS Chapter website.

Abstract
Changes in advanced telecommunication networks are challenging network architects and operators in fundamentally new ways. The world is transforming into an application-centric environment, and the role of the network is taking center stage with computing and storage. This new environment brings both pros and cons and places unprecedented demands on networks of all kinds. This talk describes the nature of these challenges and how Ciena corporation, in partnership with the worlds fastest and most agile academic research networks is exploring, experimenting and addressing these new dynamics.

Bio
Mr. Wilson is responsible for Ciena’s leadership & interactions with universities and the research community, including national research and education networks. Residing within Ciena’s CTO organization, he is able to orchestrate intersections between emerging technologies and research network experiments. He is a frequent contributor to research projects, demonstrations and discussions about advanced optical telecommunications systems. Prior to his current role, Mr. Wilson was a senior advisor for the CTO at Nortel, and held other advanced technology roles during 13 years with the company, including director of Broadband Switching, and optical Ethernet development. He has held a number of other high tech positions including the University of Toronto as chief network architect for the University’s on-line business UTLAS. He was originally trained in Electrical Engineering at Ryerson University in Toronto Ontario, and University of Toronto. He is a graduate of the Executive Management School at Stanford University in Palo Alto California. He has served on a number of business and volunteer Boards. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Algonquin College Foundation, and on the Incorporated Body of Scouts Canada. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Institute of Marketing, Scouts Canada Board of Governors and CANARIE, several technology advisory boards and is involved with industry special interest groups.

 

Applications of Petri Nets in Communications – Calculation of Probability Distributions of Performance Variable in Petri Net Models

Speaker: Dr. Faruk Hadziomerovic, Independent Consultant, Ottawa
DATE: Thursday, April 16, 20, 2015.
TIME: Refreshments, Registration and Networking: 6:00 p.m.; Seminar: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
PLACE: Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Ave., School of Advanced Technology, T-Building, Ciena Optophotonics Lab, Room T129.
PARKING: No fee after 5:00 p.m. at the Visitors’ Parking Lots 8 & 9. Please respect restricted areas.
ADMISSION: Free. Registration required. To ensure a seat, please register by e-mail contacting: almuhtadi@ieee.org
MORE INFO: Ottawa ComSoc/CESoc/BTS Chapter website

Abstract
CA brief overview of Petri nets, as a powerful modeling tool for many systems, will be given. Models with Stochastic Petri Nets (SPN) enable evaluating system performance. Every SPN can be reduced to a corresponding Markov Chain. This presentation deals with telecommunication networks where, in addition to average packet delays, it is necessary to know the probability distribution of packet delays exceeding given values. In provisioning the input buffer it is important to know statistics to be able to determine probability of buffer overflow and underflow. An original method to calculate statistics (and percentiles) of traversing time in Markov chains will be presented. Markov chains can be used to model the traffic in any network. They can model packet traffic in stored and forward networks like Internet; the parts moving across the production network; or patients moving through the health network. Conventionally the traversing time is given by the average values.

Bio
Faruk Hadziomerovic received his B.Sc. from University of Zagreb, M.E.E. from the Netherlands University Foundation for International Cooperation (NUFFIC) in the Hague, and Ph.D. from University of Sarajevo, with the thesis “Multiprocessor-Multimemory Computer Based on Microprocessors”. He spent a part of his career teaching at University of Sarajevo, Carleton University in Ottawa, Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, etc., and the other part in industrial research at the Institute for Control and Computer Sciences (IRCA), Sarajevo, Bell Northern Research (BNR) and Nortel Networks in Ottawa, and other companies in the telecommunication sector. His main teaching and research areas include microprocessors, operating systems, computer networks, and modeling for performance. His technical contributions are in the field of microprocessor hardware, network protocols and Petri nets.

Self-Organizing Small Cell Networks

Speaker: Dr. Ekram Hossain (IEEE Fellow), Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
DATE: Monday, March 30, 2015.
TIME: Refreshments, Registration and Networking: 6:00 p.m.; Seminar: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Ave., School of Advanced Technology, T-Building, Ciena Optophotonics Lab, Room T129.
PARKING: No fee after 5:00 p.m. at the Visitors’ Parking Lots 8 & 9. Please respect restricted areas.
ADMISSION: Free. Registration required. To ensure a seat, please register by e-mail contacting: almuhtadi@ieee.org.
MORE INFO: Ottawa ComSoc/CESoc/BTS Chapter website

Abstract
mall cell” is an umbrella term for low-power radio access nodes that operate in both licensed and unlicensed spectrum and have a range of 10 meter to several hundred meters. These contrast with a typical mobile macrocell, which might have a range of up to several kilometers or even higher. The term “small cell” covers femtocells, picocells, microcells, and metrocells. The evolving heterogeneous networks (HetNets) including macrocells and small cells of all types (which are also referred to as small cell networks [SCNs] hereafter) are envisioned to provide improved spectrum efficiency (bps/Hz/km2), capacity, and coverage in future wireless networks. SCNs have to be designed not only to support high quality-of-service (QoS), but also to achieve cost-effectiveness, deployment flexibility, and scalability. To achieve the low capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operation expenditure (OPEX), a self-organizing network (SON) architecture should be adopted in the SCNs. After a brief overview of the SCNs, the major challenges in successful deployment of small cells in the next generation cellular wireless systems will be outlined.

Bio
Ekram Hossain (IEEE Fellow) is currently a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Victoria, Canada, in 2001. His current research interests include design, analysis, and optimization of wireless/mobile communications networks, cognitive radio systems, and network economics. He has authored/edited several books in these areas (http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~hossaina). Dr. Hossain serves as the Editor-in-Chief for the IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, and an Editor for IEEE Wireless Communications. Also, currently he serves on the IEEE Press Editorial Board. Previously, he served as the Area Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications in the area of “Resource Management and Multiple Access, from 2009-2011, an Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing} from 2007-2012, and an Editor for the IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications – Cognitive Radio Series from 2011-2014.

Challenging Problems and Opportunities in Semiconductors and Microsystems

Speaker: Kenneth D. Wagner, ITAC Semiconductor Microsystems Council Chairman, Distinguished Engineer, PMC-Sierra, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 26, 2015.
TIME: Networking: 2:30 am – 2:45 pm; Talk: 2:45pm – 3:45pm. Refreshments will be served
PLACE: ME3380, Mackenzie Eng. Building, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
PARKING: fees . Please respect restricted areas.
ADMISSION: Free. Limited, RSVP by Mar 25, 2015
MORE INFO: Ottawa ComSoc/CESoc/BTS Chapter website

Abstract
This Seminar is meant to expose students, researchers and industry professionals to the challenges and opportunities facing the semiconductor industry today. It will be followed during 2015 by additional in-depth seminars on specific topics of interest. The Seminar will survey contemporary problems associated with semiconductor development and production. Topics to be reviewed include device power reduction, power and signal integrity, low cost high capacity functional verification (simulation, validation and emulation), embedded firmware and software development, the 3rd party semiconductor IP ecosystem and the evolution of the fabless semiconductor industry. Each topic will be covered in a format that highlights the challenges and opportunities to be found in contemporary microsystem development. The format is meant to be an open exchange where audience members are encouraged to ask questions and contribute to the discussion.

Bio
IKen joined PMC-Sierra, Inc. in 2000 as Director of Design Services and CAD. In that role, he managed the corporate IC design infrastructure for ASIC/SOC/ASSP development. Then, as Vice-President of Engineering for the Communication Products Division, he managed the development of wireline and wireless backhaul platforms for telecommunications. Now, as a Distinguished Engineer in the IC Technology Group, he leads advanced CAD R&D, including next generation implementation methodology, low power initiatives and embedded software – to enable development and manufacture of networking and storage ICs in advanced process nodes. Ken also developed PMC’s internal procedures for coordinating silicon and software IP, services and CAD tools procurement.

Challenges in the Next Wave of Connectivity

Speaker: Dr. Patrice Gamand, Ph.D, RF Fellow and Technology Manager, Corporate CTO office, NXP Semiconductors
DATE: Friday, March 20, 2015.
TIME: 14:00 -16:00. Refreshments will be served.
PLACE: ME4124, Mackenzie Eng. Building, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
PARKING: fees . Please respect restricted areas.
ADMISSION: Free.
MORE INFO: Ottawa ComSoc/CESoc/BTS Chapter website

Abstract
High data rate, high frequencies, wide bandwidth, capacity and other characteristics are the key drivers for future communications. That is the trend since decades! but today, it seems more concrete and we need solutions. The presentation will address the Internet of Things and 5G applications and will review the main technical challenges we are facing. One of them being the low power aspect. However, because of the consumer market type of applications, miniaturization and cost cannot be neglected. So, high data rate, high capacity, high frequency are associated with low power, low cost and low (small) form factor. Therefore, innovative solutions have to be found in all areas including testing and packaging in addition to architecture and design breakthrough. The presentation will cover (partially) these aspects and will be illustrated by examples from NXP.

Bio
(IEEE M’05-SM’06) received the Ph.D. degree in microelectronics from the University of Lille, France, in 1984. He then joined Philips Research Laboratories in France, where he has been involved in microwave and millimeter-waves ICs in III/V technologies. In 1993, he joined Philips Semiconductors, Caen, France as design group leader and RF development manager. In 2006, he took over the General Management of the RF Innovation Center at NXP Semiconductors. He is currently RF Fellow and Technology Manager at Corporate CTO office at NXP Semiconductors. He is authored or co-authored of more than 60 technical papers in several areas in microwave and RF domains. He holds over 33 patents.

An Overview of the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP)

Speaker: Helen Braiter, Director, Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP), Ottawa Canada
DATE: Tuesday February 4, 2015.
TIME: Refreshments, Registration and Networking: 6:00 p.m.; Seminar: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Ave., School of Advanced Technology, T-Building, Ciena Optophotonics Lab, Room T129.
PARKING: No fee after 5:00 p.m. at the Visitors’ Parking Lots 8 & 9. Please respect restricted areas.
ADMISSION: Free. Registration required. To ensure a seat, please register by e-mail contacting: Qinghan.Xiao@drdc-rddc.gc.ca or sreeraman@ieee.org.
MORE INFO: Ottawa ComSoc/CESoc/BTS Chapter website

Abstract
Created to bolster innovation in Canada’s business sector, the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) helps Companies Bridge the pre-commercialization gap by procuring and testing late stage innovative goods and services within the federal government before launching them into the commercial market. The BCIP is a new $40 million program which aims to promote innovation and support Canadian business development. It was announced in Budget 2010 and made permanent in Budget 2012 with the addition of a military procurement component. The BCIP is a unique program that focuses on innovations that are at a stage of development where they can participate in an operational testing environment.

Bio
Helen Braiter has been with PWGSC for 15 years and is the Director of the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) in the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises and Strategic Engagement (OSMESE). An environmental engineer by training, Helen has worked in many areas within the Acquisitions Branch of PWGSC including policy, risk management and supplier engagement. She was recently awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for fostering a culture of innovation in the government and for supporting innovative Canadian businesses.